Mikel Arteta breaks silence after Aubameyang stripped of Arsenal captaincy

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been stripped of the club captaincy at the Emirates following his latest "disciplinary breach"

Mikel Arteta insisted "this is where we stand" after stripping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the Arsenal captaincy in what he described as a "really unpleasant situation".

The Gunners announced on Tuesday that Aubameyang would no longer be club captain, and that the forward will not be considered for selection against West Ham on Wednesday night.

Aubameyang was dropped for Saturday’s Premier League 3-0 win over Southampton for what manager Mikel Arteta said was a “disciplinary breach”, which reportedly concerned a late return from a trip abroad.

It was not Aubameyang’s first transgression, having previously been benched for March’s north London derby against Tottenham after what was described as a breach of the club’s pre-match protocol.

Arsenal’s statement on Tuesday morning said: “Following his latest disciplinary breach last week, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will no longer be our club captain, and will not be considered for selection for Wednesday’s match against West Ham United.

“We expect all our players, particularly our captain, to work to the rules and standards we have all set and agreed. We are fully focused on tomorrow’s match.”

And speaking at his pre-match press conference, Arteta faced questions on the decision.

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Read more: Arteta confirms Aubameyang replacement plans as Arsenal search for new captain

"I don't have much more to say," said the Spaniard. "It's a really clear statement from the club.

"It's a decision we have made following the last incident with the player. This is where we stand."

When asked, Arteta refused to detail how many disciplinary incidents there had been with Aubameyang.

Asked about Aubameyang's response, when he informed the player face-to-face on the decision, Arteta said simply: "He had to accept the decision."

The 32-year-old won't play against West Ham on Wednesday night, and asked when he could return, Arteta said: "We need a bit of time. It needs a bit of time to heal. For now he's not involved in the squad."

Quizzed on who would replace Aubameyang as captain - with vice-skipper Alexandre Lacazette, who led the side in the 3-0 win over Southampton - seemingly the obvious candidate but himself not a guaranteed starter and out of contract in six months time, Arteta said he would lean on the club's current "leadership group".

He said: "Well we have the leadership group and we think that we have different players that are nominated to be captain in the last game it was Laca and we have Granit [Xhaka] as well who has been captain so we will follow that.

"Obviously, it is a really unpleasant situation and it is not the moment to make any rash decision.

"That leadership group is really strong, it is the one that communicates with myself and the coaching staff and the with the club in a really clear and strong way.

"We are going to continue like that and that is one of the decisions that we made, to make that group a little bit better and try to educate them and try and get the right feedback all the time and build that trust and the strong culture around the club.

"It is working really well so we will continue to do that."